Cover for an umbrella and other utilities

ABSTRACT

There is provided a cover for umbrellas and the like. 
     The assembly includes a nearly cylindrical cover made of a material or materials that can have at least one waterproof layer. The cover is closed at one end to itself or to the article to which it is permanently attached. The opposite end of the cover is open and is bound to a rigid to semi-rigid often-deformable ring-like structure. When not in use or dormant, the cover is considered inside out which is the side that is often most waterproof and it will lay in approximation to the article to which it is attached. When the cover is employed, the ring is disposed over the article and the cover&#39;s closed end and urged along the article to the end of said cover. Thusly, the cover is inverted exposing its dry, clean exterior.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention generally concerns covers and particularly a cover for an umbrella and sports equipment, such as skis, surf boards, golf clubs and golf bags, which has a feature that secures the cover and is easy and convenient to manipulate as a person covers and uncovers an umbrella and sports equipment. In particular, the cover can be permanently bound to articles like umbrellas and golf bags thereby rendering a cover that is easy to locate and less likely to be lost or misplaced. When the articles are wet or soiled, the water repellant cover will shield the wetness and present a dry and clean outer surface.

2. Description of the Prior Art

For over a century patents designed to conveniently cover long and wet objects, in particular an umbrella, are on record. So far, no one has found an expeditious and moderately priced way to do so. Today, when a cover is included with an umbrella, or other sports equipment, it is the familiar additional sheath, which is an accessory most individuals seem not to be able to keep up with and/or consider too cumbersome to use.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,144 B2 (Usui et al) ('04) is a rigid folding cap style cover that collapses toward the umbrella handle. Unfortunately, the number and diameter of this mechanism necessary to extend the length of any umbrella would require the cover to be quite large therefore making it impractical and expensive to manufacture.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,33,4,454 B1 (Williams) has a separate rigid container that is bulky and can only be carried separately.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,1,35,017 (Fugiyama) ('92) is actually the reverse of U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,144 (Usai et al).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,835 (Lin) ('91) has a cover that attaches to the handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the foregoing problems by providing:

A relatively cylindrical sheath or cover that either has a rigid to semi-rigid ring, a deformable ring or a ring-like member attached to one end of said cover. The opposite end of said cover can be attached either permanently or temporarily at or near one end of or desired area of the article that it will cover. When the cover is not in use, the cover is inverted exposing its underside, which in most applications is waterproof. When the cover is employed, for example over a collapsed umbrella, the ringed end of the cover is positioned over the top of the umbrella and the attached area of the cover and then urged along over the two. The once exposed side of the cover folds inward and approximates the often-wet outer side of the collapsed umbrella. Simultaneously, by folding out, the reverse unexposed side of the cover becomes exposed, which renders a clean and fashionable outer surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the overall manipulation of the cover and ring assembly upon a collapsed umbrella according to a representative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the detailed steps in covering a conventional collapsed umbrella according to a representative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating an opened umbrella, cover and ring assembly according to a representative embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, and 4 d are cutaway views illustrating how said cover and ring assembly may lay dormant or can be temporarily affixed to an opened umbrella according to a representative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a magnified view illustrating a possible variation of the cover to handle connection according to a representative embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b are side views illustrating two cover attachment possibilities and end ring shapes; FIG. 6 c illustrates a possible cover retraction mechanism; and 6 d is a prospective view illustrating a double or secondary end ring 25 according to a representative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 a is a magnified view illustrating an expandable ring influenced by the cord of a retraction mechanism. FIG. 7 b is a magnified view illustrating an expanding ring influenced by an independent drawstring. FIG. 7 c is a magnified view illustrating a deformable or collapsible end ring, and FIG. 7 d is a magnified view illustrating a funnel shaped end ring according to a representative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 a is a magnified view illustrating a permanent cover attachment to an umbrella hub and FIG. 8 b is a magnified view illustrating a temporary cover attachment according to a representative embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 9 a, 9 b, 9 c, and 9 d are side views illustrating a cover assembly utility for sports equipment according to a representative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating one possible variation of an additional or secondary cover or covers according to a representative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the overall manipulation of removing the cover from a conventional umbrella.

DRAWINGS Reference Numerals

-   1 Cover -   2 Ring -   3 Fixating means; elastic band -   4 Umbrella hub -   5 Umbrella tip -   6 Opened umbrella -   7 Umbrella handle -   8 Ring attachment (counterpart) -   9 Retractable line mechanism -   10 Retractable line -   11 Cord -   12 Expandable ring -   13 Pressure releasing aperture -   14 Temporary attachments means; a clip -   15 Skis -   16 Surfboard or ski board -   17 Golf bag -   18 Cover containment means -   19 Extension for tying a cover -   20 Modified umbrella hub -   21 Additional cover -   22 Adapter for additional cover -   23 Collapsed umbrella -   24 Umbrella extension or rib -   25 Double or secondary end ring

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.

FIG. I is a side view illustrating a collapsed umbrella 23 with cover 1 and end ring 2 attached and systematically illustrates how the cover is employed.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating more detailed steps in employment of the cover 1 and end ring 2 assembly upon a collapsed conventional uncovered umbrella 23. FIG. 2 a is a side view illustrating a collapsed umbrella with the cover 1 and ring 2 assembly attached to said umbrella. FIGS. 2 b and 2 c are side views illustrating a collapsed umbrella with the cover ring in approximation to the hub of said umbrella. FIGS. 2 d and 2 e are side views illustrating a collapsed umbrella with the cover and ring being urged down the length of the umbrella and the remainder of the cover. FIG. 2 f illustrates the resulting covered umbrella.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating how the attached inverted cover 1 and end ring 2 can lay on the top of a deployed or opened umbrella 6, and an elastic band 3 version of how the ring and cover can be temporarily affixed to the tip 5 of an umbrella rib 24.

FIG. 4 a is a cutaway view illustrating one particular embodiment of how the cover 1 and end ring 2 assembly may lay atop or upon a short multi-folded opened umbrella 6. The end ring 2 and/or part of the cover 1 is magnetized thereby affixing itself to one of the umbrella's rib or extensions 24. FIG. 4 b illustrates an elastic band 3 that attaches at or near the end ring 2 and to the umbrella hub 4. FIG. 4 c illustrates an end ring 2 that can adapt to the umbrella hub 4. FIG. 4 d illustrates a cover 1 that gathers by means of inherent elastic memory and/or a retracting mechanism.

FIG. 5 illustrates one of the many shapes the cover ring 2 can have and one of the many ways it can fit the handle 7 and/or its hub 8, i.e., latches, magnetism, threaded fittings, rubber bushings, drawstrings, etc., which can completely close the umbrella.

FIG. 6 a is a magnified view illustrating one way the cover 1 can be attached to the main hub of an umbrella and one of the many possible shapes of the end ring 2. FIG. 6 b illustrates another variation of the cover to hub attachment and possible shape of the end ring 2 sewn within a cuff of said cover. FIG. 6 c illustrates a retracting mechanism 9 that can gather the cover 1. 6 d illustrates a double or secondary end ring 25.

FIG. 7 is a magnified perspective view illustrating possible additional ring attributes. FIG. 7 a illustrates a cord from the retracting mechanism that closes an expandable ring 2. FIG. 7 b illustrates an expandable ring 2 influenced by an independent drawstring. FIG. 7 c illustrates a collapsible ring 2 opened by finger pressure. FIG. 7 d illustrates a funnel shaped end ring 2.

FIG. 8 a is a side view illustrating the cover 1 permanently bound to an umbrella hub 4. FIG. 8 b is a side view illustrating a closed cover with extensions 19 for tying a cover to an article and illustrating an auxiliary pressure-releasing aperture 13.

FIG. 9 a illustrates a cover 1 and end ring 2 assembly attachment to a golf bag 17 wherein said cover can be stowed and/or fixated by a cover flap or pocket means 18. FIG. 9 b illustrates a cover I and end ring 2 assembly attachment to skis 15 with a cover flap or pocket 18. FIG. 9 c illustrates a cover 1 and end ring 2 assembly that is temporarily attached to skis by a clamping means or the like 14. 9 d illustrates a cover 1 and end ring 2 assembly attachment wherein the cover is temporarily attached to a surf or ski board 16 by a clamp 14.

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating one possible method of attaching an additional cover 21 by modifying the hub 4 to accept an adapter or a fixating means 22. A similar method would attach the additional cover to the end ring.

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the manipulation of the end ring 2 to remove the cover 1 from a collapsed umbrella 23. As the ring 2 is urged toward the hub 4, the outer surface of said cover folds onto itself exposing its inside surface. Once said cover has cleared the umbrella, the umbrella can then be deployed.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with regard to the exemplary embodiments and drawings thereof, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various adaptations and modifications of the present invention may be accomplished without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment shown in the drawings and described in detail hereinabove. Rather, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the claims appended hereto.

In addition, several different embodiments of the present invention are described above, with each such embodiment described as including certain features. However, it is intended that the features described in connection with the discussion of a single embodiment are not limited to that embodiment but may be included and/or arranged in various combinations in any of the other embodiments as well, as will be understood to those skilled in the art.

In the following claims, those elements which do not include the words “means for” are intended not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. §112¶6.

Patents Cited:

6,805,144 Usai et al (2004) 5,443,086 Maller (1994) 6,334,454 B1 Williams 5,135,017 Fugiyama (1992) 4,375,222 Dubinsky (1983) 4,062,370 Brickner, et al. (1977) 141,151 Lusby (1873) 337,146 Ghezzi (1886) 785,938 Epstein (1905) 3,948,302 Kohls (1976) 6,763,941 Laffy (2004) 6,367,625 Zobel (2002) 

1. A cover that is relatively cylindrical made of a single waterproof material, or made of materials of which one layer can be waterproof and another layer that can provide an appealing visual or other effect. Said cover is closed at one end to itself or to the article to which it is attached. The opposite end of said cover is bound to either a rigid, semi-rigid, and/or a deformable ring or ring-like structure of a sturdy material(s) suitable for the desired effect.
 2. A cover according to claim 1, whereby one end of said cylinder is or can be attached permanently or temporarily to the hub or ferrule of an umbrella or other utility.
 3. A cover according to claim 1, whereby the ring-like structure can be reshapable, expandable, contractible, or closable by various means.
 4. A cover according to claim 1, whereby said cover or ring-like structure inherently has, or in addition to it, a means of positioning or temporarily fixating it or them or their parts at or near a desired location on an article.
 5. A cover and ring according to claims 1, whereby either said cover and ring or both said cover and ring can have a positioning indicium for optimal performance and ease of manipulation.
 6. A cover according to claim 1, whereby said ring can be any shape imposed by a manufacturer or existing fashion styles.
 7. A cover according to claim 1, whereby an adhesive patch or other attachable modality, i.e., snap, clamp, Velcro, etc., is provided with or affixed to said cover.
 8. A cover according to claim 1, whereby said cover is provided with reinforcing material(s) and/or cords near the hub and ring or along the cylinder to prevent kinking and wear.
 9. A cover according to claim 1, whereby said cover has inherent elastic memory or has other suitable material running across or along the cylinder to gather the cover assembly.
 10. A cover according to claim 1, whereby said cover has a retractable mechanism(s) for bunching or gathering the cover assembly.
 11. A cover according to claim 1, whereby the cylinder has a handle or handling means or strap for handling and/or has an orifice to allow a handle of a covered article to protrude through said cover or to allow access through to the inside of said cover.
 12. A cover according to claim 1, whereby auxiliary pockets, enclosures and other attachments can be temporarily or permanently affixed to said cover.
 13. A cover according to claim 1, whereby said cover can extend to any length along and even beyond the article that it will cover.
 14. A cover according to claim 1, whereby a ring is sewn within said cover's cuff.
 15. A cover according to claim 1, whereby an article to which said cover is attached can provide a pocket or other enclosure means to contain said cover in its dormant utility.
 16. A cover and ring assembly according to claim 1, whereby said ring has a boot and/or booted end and said boot can have a drawstring mechanism that can influence it and/or said ring.
 17. A cover according to claim 1, whereby said cover or an attached article has a rotatable hub or other mechanism to prevent kinking.
 18. An umbrella hub and/or end ring that is modified to accept additional covers that is utilized to change the outer appearance of said cover, i.e., color, material, esthetic patterns. 